If you have a UK driving licence and live in France...

[Char]

The following site may be of interest to you;

https://www.service-public.fr/particuli ... or=EPR-141

At the top of the article linked to there's a drop down box, where you can choose to read it in English if your French language skills aren't up to reading it in French.
Don't blame me if the translation isn't right though.

Kind regards
Charlotte

[Doug]

Thanks Ch. I know it will help a number, we changed back in early 1990s easy, peesy, all done in 15 mins in Cahors, along with international ones as we were off down to OZ. my how things have changed.

[Hotrodder]

And from Voisins_Voices received today:
The UK has reached an agreement with France on mutual recognition of driving
licences. Our agreement means those with a valid UK licence can continue to drive in
France.
If your licence has expired or is due to expire in the next 6 months you should apply to
exchange it with the Agence Nationale des Titres Sécurisés (ANTS) via their online
platform.
Your driving licence questions answered:
Do I need to exchange my UK driving licence if I live in France?
If your licence was issued before 1 January 2021, you can use it in France until it expires.
Paper licences are usually valid until you are 70. For plastic photocard licences, the
expiry date is on the front. Check the expiry date.
When your licence has less than six months’ validity remaining or if it has already
expired, you can exchange it for a French one by applying to the Agence Nationale des
Titres Sécurisés (ANTS) via their online platform: https://permisdeconduire.ants.gouv.fr/.
If your licence was issued on or after 1 January 2021, it will be recognised for 12 months
from the date of issue of your residency permit (carte de séjour). If you intend to stay in
France for longer, you must exchange your UK licence for a French one during this 12-
month period by applying to the Agence Nationale des Titres Sécurisés (ANTS) via their
online platform: https://permisdeconduire.ants.gouv.fr/.

[Char]

Thank you Hotrodder.

[hughnique]

Never have I come across such an inefficient set up, Ants should be renamed Pants, OH trying since 2020, must be on her 5th application now, all seemed to be going so well then Friday, application refused, evidently they have been updating things, to provide a more streamlined service, and effed it all up in the process

[A.N.Other]

How quintessentially French!

I know the argument goes that prior to Brexit exchanging a licence was not legally necessary nevertheless I do confess to feelings of schadenfreude towards those who had every opportunity to do so but hung on for no other reason that it gave them some immunity from the full force of the law when committing traffic offences.

It's much the same here in Spain the principal difference being that, unlike for France, UK and Spain have concluded no agreement for exchanges meaning that the chancers are now faced with taking a Spanish test and as of the end of last month must cease driving until they have.

I'm not a totally hard hearted SOB though as I do genuinely feel for those coming to Spain now with post Brexit non EU visas but still facing the same hoop to jump through - and within 6 months of landing. That alone will be the slam dunk end to the dream for many including those who can meet the new financial requirements which amount to close on €34,000/pa for a couple.

[Spardo]

[mention]A.N.Other[/mention]

I know the argument goes that prior to Brexit exchanging a licence was not legally necessary

Was for me, Dordogne told me I could not start the driving job (PL/HGV) I had just got without exchanging it for a French one. Thank goodness they did, so I have had a French one for 22 years now and it will see me out I reckon. I advised my wife to do the same and hers is still a paper one so lasts for ever.

[Doug]

It was a legal requirement, I came over back in 88 and then it was before six months were up.
Was stopped by gendarmes twice for control and asked why I had not changed to a French licence, being bolshie I showed the front page where it was written the UK and EU.

[Spardo]

It was a legal requirement, I came over back in 88 and then it was before six months were up.
Was stopped by gendarmes twice for control and asked why I had not changed to a French licence, being bolshie I showed the front page where it was written the UK and EU.

I had a similar problem, but in Cornwall, not in France. 4.30 in the morning I was held up for half an hour with a couple of numpties who struggled to understand that EU licences were valid in England. They tried to convince me that everyone visiting England should, for however short a period, change to a UK licence. Their radios eventually put them right and I was at last free to go.

[DominicBest]

I know the argument goes that prior to Brexit exchanging a licence was not legally necessary…

That’s still the situation post Brexit. Your U.K. licence remains valid until its expiry date. In fact changing it before then is only possible under specific circumstances.